Report says Nintendo may make an EU-specific Switch 2 revision with a replaceable battery

Nintendo is reportedly preparing a revised Switch 2 model for the EU that would make the system’s battery easier to replace. The report comes from Nikkei, which says the change would help Nintendo comply with EU rules that require replaceable batteries in portable electronics by 2027.

If that happens, the change could apply not just to the Switch 2 handheld itself, but also to the Joy-Con 2 controllers. Nintendo hasn’t announced anything publicly, and there are still some big unanswered questions around how an EU revision would affect current hardware, repairs, or warranty support.

The EU legislation, passed in 2023, says consumers should be able to remove and replace batteries using commercially available or specialized tools. Companies are also expected to provide instructions and safety information for doing it.

Right now, it’s not clear whether Nintendo would sell a separate EU-only hardware version, revise all future Switch 2 units globally, or offer any path for owners of existing systems. Nikkei also suggested similar changes could eventually reach Japan or the US if local consumer laws move in the same direction.

The battery rules are part of a wider EU push around waste collection and recycling. Under the law, producers are expected to collect 63% of waste from portable batteries by the end of 2027, rising to 73% by the end of 2030.

For now, this is still a report rather than a confirmed Nintendo plan. Until the company comments, the timing and scope of any Switch 2 revision remain unclear.